COBRA Alternatives
COBRA keeps your plan — at full price. Here’s what to compare before you sign.
When you leave a job, your employer may offer COBRA: the right to stay on the company health plan for up to 18 months. The catch? You pay the entire premium yourself — the part your employer used to pay, plus a 2% administrative fee. For most people, that number is a shock. Before you sign anything, compare it against a Marketplace plan.
Why COBRA Is So Expensive
While you were employed, your company likely paid most of your premium and you paid the rest. Under COBRA, you pay both shares plus 2%. Same plan, dramatically higher bill — and it only lasts up to 18 months. It’s a bridge, not a home.
The Marketplace Alternative
Losing job-based coverage is a qualifying life event, which opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for a Marketplace plan. Depending on your income, federal tax credits can lower your premium — and for many people coming off COBRA sticker shock, the Marketplace number is far lower. Same essential benefits, new price.
Compare Before You Elect
- Monthly cost — your full COBRA premium vs. a Marketplace premium after tax credits.
- Your doctors — COBRA keeps your exact network; a Marketplace plan needs a network check. I do this for you.
- Your prescriptions — compare drug coverage and costs on both options.
- How long you need it — COBRA maxes out at 18 months; a Marketplace plan renews yearly.
- The deadline — you generally have 60 days to elect COBRA and 60 days for your Special Enrollment Period. Don’t let either expire while you decide.
Don’t Let Coverage Lapse
The worst outcome is no coverage at all — one ER visit without insurance can dwarf a year of premiums. If you’re between jobs, get something in place now and optimize later. I can usually get you comparing real options the same day you call.
Lost Your Job? Compare Before You Sign COBRA
Send me your COBRA letter and I’ll show you the Marketplace alternative side by side — same day.
Also Helpful
Prefer to do it yourself? Skip the waiting.
Step 1: run the 60-second subsidy calculator first — see your likely lane, then come back and enroll.
No phone queue, no hold music. Enroll through my link in minutes — it makes me your agent of record, and I review every signup personally the same day. If anything needs fixing, I call you.
Start My Application →Rather talk first? Book a free call or text me at 954-787-9118. Eligibility depends on your situation.
Get a Free Quote
Fill this out and it turns into a text message to me with everything I need to start your quote. I’ll take it from there — personally.
- No call centers, no phone trees — you talk to me.
- Licensed in sixteen states.
- There’s no fee for my help. The insurance company pays me, not you.